Q – If you were the offensive coordinator for another team — how would you be thinking about attacking our defense?

Anything change if you are Raven’s OC Marty Mornhinweg?

stanger

I like this question. When I look at the Dolphins defense, I see weaknesses in the LB’s and also in the secondary. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking our boys (Maxwell, Lippett, McCain, Abdul-Quddus, Thomas and Rambo, and Alonso at LB), but I think if I’m going to look for weak spots, that’s it. Our defensive line has been solid, especially Suh, who has played great this season. I thought Mitchell was going to bring a spark, but he may be rusty, and Jordan Phillips has been awful quiet lately.

I would run Terrance West a lot, make Wake play the run, and try and tire him out, since he’s become an every down DE. I’d also try to exploit Lippett, and although Mike Wallace is a bit older, I always respected his abilities, and yes, even defended him while he was here. Mike Wallace is the type of receiver that could give Lippett trouble, because he can go right by him. Flacco can throw the deep ball, so I would take a few shots after running Terrance West, maybe a play action, or just take a shot deep.

I would also look to get Pitta involved in the passing game. Besides Alonso, I don’t trust any of our LB’s to cover Dennis Pitta, including Neville Hewitt or Jelani Jenkins. Those are the guys I would try to isolate. I would not be surprised to see Pitta have a lot of opportunities and touches against us Sunday. I hope our guys are up to the task! Besides Pitta and Wallace, we better watch out for RB Kenneth Dixon out of the backfield as a receiver. Again, our LB’s (except Alonso) really struggle there, so I would also prey on the LB’s trying to cover Dixon.
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from Piggy

Q – Oinks to you Mike and my compliments on consistently offering us a weekly Ask Mike.

What a great win streak. Lot of clutch plays. Kiko Alonso returns an INT for a TD, Parker scores a 4th qtr TD, Drake returns a kickoff for a TD, Kaepernick is tackled to save a necessary winning TD.

Hey what’s with the absence of a game winning FG? Isn’t it odd to you that we have all these close wins fueled by clutch plays and no last second FG?

Do you think that is a reflection of this team? Does this team have a killer instinct that teams under coaches like Sparano did not have? And what am I supposed to do with all the pictures of hot dogs I have?

Trotters Forever

Sir Pigsgerald Oinkustus Bacon De La Chuleta

Thanks Piggy, it’s truly my pleasure to write for all of you here, you people are what make this blog happen, it’s just my little contribution to it.

It is odd Piggy, but I think you nailed it at the end. Do you really want to put the game on the hot dog man? Actually, it’s not just that, but I do think that’s part of it. I do think Gase is much more aggressive, and more sure of himself than either Sparano or Philbin. Gase really does impress me with his resolve. I think like the best coaches, once he got comfortable, learned the personnel here, found their strengths and weaknesses, he devised a gameplan, and is confident in implementing it with the guys he employs to implement them.

I think John Harbaugh is an excellent coach, but I feel extremely confident having Gase go up against him. I never felt like that with a Sparano or Philbin led team. I think Sparano had the team play for him, but he was never a great strategist, and although Philbin may have been an intellectual coach, I don’t think he ever had his players behind him, nor do I think he ever outcoached the opposition. I think the players believe in Gase, and I think they feed off his confidence and energy. I LOVE THAT!

So to specifically answer, I do believe that Gase doesn’t feel like he wants to put the game in the hands of an unproven PK like Franks, so he finds other options to get the score. Know your strengths!
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from Tim

Q – So which player do you feel needs to step up down the stretch that can give us a jolt we haven’t really had yet? Thank you!

There are so many Tim, there really are. I think if Mario Williams gave us a taste of what he used to be back in 2014, just a hot stretch where he can consistently get pressure and get to the QB, that would be huge. Right now Andre Branch is getting the job done, but if Williams rotates in, he’s a bystander almost all the time. 9 tackles and 4 assists, and 1.5 sacks is what we got. Seems like all the bullshit about not being used properly in BUF was just that, bullshit.

If Jelani Jenkins could ever get really healthy, and give us the play he gave us his 2nd year. He was all over the place, making tackles, getting a few sacks, he made an impact! That would be HUGE, but I’m not counting on him or Mario to give us that.

More obvious ones though would be to get Branden Albert and Mike Pouncey fully healthy for the rest of the season. I think Tunsil will be OK, but those 2 guys worry me more. Out of all the things I would wish for, I would take those 2 guys playing out the season healthy (as possible), and being as effective as they were in the first 2 games we had them all assembled. We do that, we’re playoff ready, and can beat most teams out there.

If I can stretch your 1 player to 2, maybe 3, (3 if Tunsil really is more hurt than I think he is), then those guys getting healthy and playing well would be my choice. If it’s just 1, give me Branden Albert healthy. I think we can make do.

If you want more of an unsung player, one hasn’t really done much to this point in MIA, I would say Kenyan Drake. We’ve seen what he can do as a returner, but I’d love to see him used more as a receiver out of the backfield, and even getting more carries. Nothing like a home run threat getting touches, and he is a home run threat. I know some would like Grant, but I think Drake is more ready to handle it now, but I do think Grant also has a chance to grow here next year, not in height (LOL), but in preparedness and being ready to handle more opportunities.
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from Prof Lou

Q – are we 7-5 and tied w/BUF after this game; do they find a way to upset OAK? Do we stay ahead of BUF in the East or do they catch us and finish 2nd?

No way, we are 8-4, because we’re going to beat those birds! I respect the hell out of Harbaugh, but Gase and the Dolphins are up to the task, and the steamroller keeps rolling! Payback is a bitch, and it’s our turn to knock the ravens out of playoff contention. In 2014, we were in a very similar situation record wise, we were 7-5, and playing the Ravens to stay alive for playoff contention. That game was awful, and in typical Philbin led Dolphins teams, we froze in December, despite hosting the Ravens in MIA. We actually started that game OK, Piggy, Brian and Ken and I all went to Slatterys to watch this one. We were up 10-0 after the 1st QTR. Then the Ravens woke up and realized they were playing the December Dolphins, and they went on to outscore us 28-3 the rest of the way.

This time it’s going to be different. A good game, relatively close, although we cover the spread, which is about 3 points at last look. I have us winning 23-17, and since every prediction I’ve made has been money (NOT!!!), I figure it to be something like that. It’s going to be up for grabs in the 4th, as just about every game we’ve won during this streak has, save for the Pittsburgh game.

Oakland may very will win out. They are getting excellent play from so many players, especially Derek Carr on offense, and that defense is filled with playmakers. They are allowing a lot of points, but I think they are going to be a great defense at some point. That O-line is excellent, and not one 1st RD pick to be found. LT Donald Penn, cast off from the Bucs, LG Kelechi Osemele (Ancient Warrior), C Rodney Hudson, RG Gabe Jackson (yeah D!), and RT Austin Howard.

Donald Penn (UNDRAFTED), Kelechi Osemele (2nd RD), Rodney Hudson (2nd RD), Gabe Jackson (3rd RD), and Austin Howard (UNDRAFTED). Pretty impressive, and unbelievable that Howard, an undrafted free agent is the only NFL tackle NOT to allow a sack this season. Oakland is going to troll over the Bills, they’re the better team. You have to want the Raiders to win anyway, that will essentially knock the Bills out.
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from GDP

Q – Hey Axe Mike E,

In regards to my boy Ryan Tannehill & a certain President elect of the good ol USA, namely one Donald J. Trump, trump, trump…. Do ya’s think many FU’ers will be offended or mad when I burst back onto our blog with a Big Fat, I TOLD YOU SO?!?!?!

Go Tanny & Go Trump signed, Gloating GetterdoneGo Phins!

GDP!! Great to hear from you man! We all miss ya man, that’s the truth.

To answer, I think everyone will be really happy to see, whether you’re gloating, floating, or boating. Just get yer ass back on the blog, and you’ll see for yerself! Hope all is well with your home and family after the storm.

You know that about half the people are happy Trump won, and you know just about everyone is happy Tannehill is playing well. 🙂

I’m finding it somewhat funny how Trump is all of a sudden getting soft an many of the hard stances he took. He’s becoming a Democrat right before our very eyes. lol

Anyways, I hope to see you on the blog in short order, your friends will be pleased to see you back on!

Best wishes brother! Sorry I didn’t get to meet you at the Fest.
Next year man, I’m gonna hold you to that!
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486 Responses to Ask Mike – 2016 Season Week 13

Stanger, I’m talking about cutting Mario Williams in 2017 due to him not living up to his contract. His 2017 deal is $10.5M and if we cut him we eat $2M but save $8.5M.

We have too many aging DEs. I’d re-sign Branch who is 27. We have to see if Jordan gives us anything. I think Williams and J. Jones are out in 2017. Fede has shown to be only a depth guy, he never took the next step now in his 3rd season. We need to draft an up and coming DE.

I think Branch is as good as OV, makes a whole lot less and won’t get a $85M deal. LOL

Tim — no doubt Williams will not get his contract. Was talking about Cameron. Was just thinking we were going off before and after numbers on him given that your cap availble # was lower than what I put out (and showed you where I got it from.

And for sure Branch is looking good, but if he gets big money it will be mostly cause of his age and progress. Sorta like how Earl Mitchell ended up with us.

Well if you are missing Dolphins stuff I have the answer…
My sucky old computer dont play videos but I recently acquired the young ladies old Cell phone.
Aint got no service but she hooked me up to the WY-FY and now I go on the Fins site.
We have Bokamper doing his audible show all the press confreres and what I liked the most I just watched last night.
Ajayii was all Miched up for the SF game and the highlights where unbelievable… They are mostly all at ground level so you can get a real scope of the game, hear every hit and darn near every word
CHECK IT OUT!

LOCAL GATOR FAN was bragging on a local talk show that “I’ve got the Gators and the 24 point spread. Gators scored a TD on their opening drive, so I’m up 31-0!!” NOT ENOUGH, GATOR BREATH! ‘BAMA now leading Florida 54-16 with about 3 minutes left to go! Those looking for a competitive National Championship Game ought to root for Clemson tonight in the ACC Championship Game. Clemson’s DeShaun Watson, possibly the current best QB in college football, is the type of QB that can expose the Tide’s defensive weaknesses in their secondary. NONE of the other potential Final Four teams (including Washington) has a QB that can lead them to victory against Alabama. Clemson NEARLY DEFEATED ALABAMA in last season’s title game. I HOPE THEY GET ANOTHER CHANCE!

Hey OD. Jets started like gangbusters, then hit a ton if injuries and just had an 0-5 road trip … starting to get some guys back bytvare still sutting Tgurd in diviosikna nd right about .500… our Rookie Laine is lighting it up, kid has a release like Marino did .. hope all is well with ya sir

Nice to see GDP up and about.. as well as another MF sighting. Really good peeps. Come back when ya can and God Bless both ya.

Yeah, but I like avoiding the science experiments that might grow if it didn’t get washed. I took a pic of it, next time, I’m putting a poster in the kitchen asking for whoever has it to kindly return it.

Bookman, an old friend of mine from Marshall, he’s there this weekend for the game. A bucket list thing. Plus he has lived in Houston for years, but Green Bay is his team. If you see him, say hey for me. 🙂